Systems and methods for managing digital asset exchanges

ABSTRACT

Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for the exchange of digital assets are generally described. In some embodiments, a digital asset exchange system (the “exchange system”) may generate a catalog of available digital assets stored on a plurality of client logic devices or storage devices. The exchange system may determine a value for the digital assets. A user may request to exchange a digital asset in the catalog with one of their digital assets. The exchange system may process the exchange of the digital assets have an equivalent or substantially equivalent value. If the value of the digital assets is not equivalent, the exchange system may suggest digital assets for the exchange and/or initiate negotiations between the users.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/547,032, filed on Nov. 18, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/905,510 filed on Nov. 18, 2013, thecontents of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety as iffully set forth herein.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The described technology generally relates to an automated,computer-implemented forum for valuing and exchanging digital assetsand, more specifically, to an exchange system configured to generate acatalog of digital assets stored on a plurality of computing devices andto facilitate the non-monetary exchange of digital assets therebetweenby trading the digital assets based on their fair market value.

BACKGROUND

Technological advancements have caused the digital storage of contentassets to be the predominant method for storing and accessing content,such as music and movies. In addition, advances in storage capacity haveallowed analog content and individual digital storage mediums, such ascompact discs (CDs), digital video discs, and Blu-ray™, to be saved andaccessed from digital storage devices, including computing devices andexternal storage devices.

Despite the improved access to digital content assets, bona fidepurchasers of content still do not have legitimate technologies capableof allowing users to share, trade, and acquire digital assets using alibrary or catalogue of their own for exchange with the digital assetsof others. Consequently, as media and electronic devices havedrastically improved, the ability to legally and dependably share andexchange those digital assets and media has not maintained the samepace. Accordingly, digital content providers and consumers would benefitfrom a system that facilitates the non-monetary trading or exchanging ofdigital assets.

SUMMARY

This disclosure is not limited to the particular systems, devices andmethods described, as these may vary. The terminology used in thedescription is for the purpose of describing the particular versions orembodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope.

As used in this document, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skillin the art. Nothing in this disclosure is to be construed as anadmission that the embodiments described in this disclosure are notentitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention. Asused in this document, the term “comprising” means “including, but notlimited to.”

In an embodiment, a system configured to exchange digital assets mayinclude a processor and a non-transitory, computer-readable storagemedium in operable communication with the processor, wherein thecomputer-readable storage medium contains one or more programminginstructions. The one or more programming instructions, when executed,cause the processor to access a digital asset catalog comprising assetinformation associated with a plurality of digital assets stored on aplurality of client logic devices, receive an exchange request from arequesting client logic device to exchange at least one selected digitalasset in the digital asset catalog, determine a selection value for theat least one selected digital asset, determine whether the requestingclient logic device comprises at least one tradable digital asset havinga tradable value substantially equivalent to the selected asset value,and exchange the at least one selected digital asset and the at leastone tradable digital asset responsive to the tradable value beingsubstantially equivalent to the selected asset value.

In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method for exchanging digitalassets may include, by a processor, accessing a digital asset catalogcomprising asset information associated with a plurality of digitalassets stored on a plurality of client logic devices, receiving anexchange request from a requesting client logic device to exchange atleast one selected digital asset in the digital asset catalog,determining a selection value for the at least one selected digitalasset, determining whether the requesting client logic device comprisesat least one tradable digital asset having a tradable valuesubstantially equivalent to the selected asset value, and exchanging theat least one selected digital asset and the at least one tradabledigital asset responsive to the tradable value being substantiallyequivalent to the selected asset value.

In an embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium havingcomputer-readable program code configured to exchange digital assets mayinclude computer-readable program code configured to access a digitalasset catalog comprising asset information associated with a pluralityof digital assets stored on a plurality of client logic devices,computer-readable program code configured to receive an exchange requestfrom a requesting client logic device to exchange at least one selecteddigital asset in the digital asset catalog, computer-readable programcode configured to determine a selection value for the at least oneselected digital asset, computer-readable program code configured todetermine whether the requesting client logic device comprises at leastone tradable digital asset having a tradable value substantiallyequivalent to the selected asset value, and computer-readable programcode configured to exchange the at least one selected digital asset andthe at least one tradable digital asset responsive to the tradable valuebeing substantially equivalent to the selected asset value.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects of the present invention will become morereadily apparent from the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative digital asset exchange system accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative digital asset exchange system accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram of an illustrative method for exchangingdigital assets.

FIG. 4 illustrates various embodiments of a computing device forimplementing the various methods and processes described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The described technology generally relates to systems and methods forexchanging digital assets between a plurality of client logic devices.In particular, some embodiments may provide a digital asset exchangesystem (the “exchange system” or “system”) for users to view the digitalassets of other users and to swap, trade, barter, or otherwise acquirethe digital assets in exchange for their digital assets in their owncollection. A digital asset may generally include content in a digitalform, which may include any type of data, information, media, or thelike that may be expressed through a medium. Non-limiting examples ofmediums may include audio and visual mediums such as television, radio,and broadcast, computing devices and other logic devices, digital mediaplayers, and cable, satellite, and/or network (e.g., Internet) formsthereof. Illustrative forms of content may include, but are not limitedto, video, audio, movies, video games, television and radio programs,commercials, websites, images, photographs, text, electronic or digitaldocuments, and/or combinations thereof

In some embodiments, the exchange system may be configured to compile acatalog of digital assets (the “digital asset catalog”) availablethrough a plurality of client logic devices. The exchange system may beconfigured to determine a value for each digital assets and/orcollections thereof. In some embodiments, the values of the digitalassets may include a “fair market value” or “equitable exchange value”based on publicly available information, user input regarding value,content provider information, or any combination thereof. In someembodiments, the value of the digital assets may fluctuate dynamicallybased on information received by the exchange system.

Users may access the exchange system and browse the available digitalassets and make selections for exchange. For instance, a first user maychoose a digital asset from the digital asset catalog (a “selecteddigital asset”) that is stored on the client logic device of a seconduser. The exchange system may determine a value or range of values forthe selected digital asset. In some embodiments, the first user mayoffer a digital asset in exchange for the selected digital asset (a“tradable digital asset”) that the first user is willing to trade forthe selected digital asset. In some embodiments, the exchange system maysearch the digital assets of the second user, determine the valuesthereof, and make a recommendation for the tradable digital assets. Theexchange system may determine whether value of the tradable digitalasset and the selected digital asset are equivalent or substantiallyequivalent. If these values are equivalent or substantially equivalent,the exchange system may notify the second user of the proposed exchangeof the selected digital asset for the tradable digital asset by thefirst user. The first user may approve or decline the exchange.

In some embodiments, equivalent or substantially equivalent may meanhaving essentially the same value (i.e., the same dollar value). In someembodiments, equivalent or substantially equivalent may include having avalue within a tolerance threshold, such as 2%-20%. In some embodiments,the tolerance threshold may be specified by a user, the exchange system,or a combination thereof If the second user approves of the exchange,the first user may upload the selected digital asset to their clientlogic device and the second user may upload the tradable digital assetto their client logic device through the exchange system. If the seconduser declines the exchange, the first user and the second user maynegotiate and/or request alternative assets through the exchange system.

The exchange system may determine the value of digital assets usingvarious information sources, including publicly available information,proprietary data sources, and/or third-party data sources. Non-limitingexamples of data sources include websites, content databases (e.g.,Netflix®, iTunesTM, or the like), social network services,crowd-sourcing services, content provider catalogs, retailer websites,proprietary databases, user valuations, or the like. The exchange systemmay dynamically determine the value of a digital asset in real time orsubstantially real-time based on various factors, such as trendingpopularity and/or demand for a particular digital asset. For example,retail prices available online and past transactions may indicate that adigital asset has a certain value. However, demand for the asset on thedigital exchange, user-provided values, crowd-sourcing values, digitalasset rental or purchase demand, and/or social networking trends mayindicate that the value of the asset has fluctuated higher (or lower).

Embodiments may include systems and methods for efficiently swapping,trading, exchanging, and or acquiring digit assets, and other mediacontent. Additional embodiments described herein may include thecapability to determine fair market value for any number of digit assetsthrough publicly available information, including but not limited to keyword searches, website searches, database queries, etc. Anotherembodiment described herein may include the capability to link users ona global network who have similar digit assets for exchange.

As previously mentioned, conventional technology does not provide amarket or platform to connect content consumers to each other as a meansto exchange digital content return for other equally comparable digitassets in real-time or substantially real-time. Accordingly, someembodiments provide for the ability to trade digital assets, in returnfor like-kind digit assets.

For example, according to one embodiment, individuals who own extensivelibraries or catalogs of digital media content who seek to acquire,exchange or trade their digital assets in return for other comparabledigital assets, may have a forum or mechanism in which to do so.Embodiments may include a computer-based, electronic forum which allowsusers to globally connect through a network to exchange and view otheruser's digital assets. Users have the opportunity to review other'scatalogs and initiate exchange discussions and negotiations based onuser libraries. Embodiments may include use of a network that mayinclude, but is not limited, to a local area network (LAN), a wide areanetwork (WAN), storage area network (SAN), the Internet, a sharednetwork, document storage, a wireless network (e.g., WiFi), atelecommunications network (e.g. 3G, 4G, LTE, etc.), and any other typeof network now known or developed in the future.

In some embodiments, the exchange system may serve as a marketplace,central clearinghouse or listing of assets. A user searching for aparticular asset may search the marketplace and, upon finding anotheruser seeking to traded that asset, inform the acquiring user of suchavailability and propose a nominal trade value for that asset. Themarketplace may connect the two users directly, or the marketplace mayexecute all transactions such that the users remain anonymous to eachother, thereby protecting any privacy concerns of the users.

The exchange system described according to some embodiments providesmultiple technological advantages and technical effects on processes andtechniques, including processes and techniques external to the exchangesystem. Conventional systems and processes cannot implement a digitalasset exchange system in real-time or substantially real time, includingproviding a digital asset catalog and values of digital assets. Anon-limiting technological advantage and technical effect of theexchange system according to some embodiments is that the exchangesystem may allow certain devices, such as computing devices, to operatemore effectively and efficiently when being used to exchange digitalassets. Therefore, the exchange system according to some embodiments mayoperate to improve the process of buying, selling, and/or exchangingdigital assets by making the process more efficient, accurate, andcost-effective and may improve the user experience of users as theyacquire, sell, and/or exchange digital assets using a client logicdevice.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative digital asset exchange system accordingto some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 1, the digital asset exchangesystem (the “exchange system” or the “system”) 100 may include one ormore server logic devices 110 a-n, which may generally include aprocessor, a non-transitory memory or other storage device for housingprogramming instructions, data or information regarding one or moreapplications, and other hardware, including, for example, the centralprocessing unit (CPU) 405, read only memory (ROM) 410, random accessmemory (RAM) 415, communication ports 470, controller 420, and/or memorydevice 425 depicted in FIG. 4 and described below in reference thereto.

In some embodiments, the programming instructions may include a digitalasset exchange application (the “exchange application” or the“application”) configured to, among other things, access informationassociated with digital assets stored on client logic devices 115 a-n,generate a digital asset catalog 120 of digital asset information 125a-n, determine the value of the digital assets, and facilitate theexchange of digital assets between client-logic devices.

The server logic devices 110 a-n may be in operable communication withclient logic devices, including, but not limited to, server computingdevices, personal computers (PCs) 115 c, kiosk computing devices, mobilecomputing devices, laptop computers 115 d, smartphones 115 b, personaldigital assistants (PDAs), global positioning system (GPS) devices,televisions (i.e., “smart” televisions), printing devices, tabletcomputing devices 115 a, in-care entertainment (ICE) systems, storagedevices 115 n, electronic reading devices (“e-readers”), or any otherlogic and/or computing devices now known or developed in the future.

In some embodiments, the exchange application may be accessible throughvarious platforms, such as a client application, web-based application,over the Internet, and/or a mobile application (for example, a “mobileapp” or “app”). According to some embodiments, the exchange applicationmay be configured to operate on each client logic device 115 a-n and/orto operate on a server computing device accessible to client logicdevices over a network, such as the Internet. All or some of the files,data and/or processes used for cataloging, exchanging, and/or valuingdigital assets may be stored locally on each client logic device 115 a-nand/or stored in a central location and accessible over a network (e.g.,the Internet or on server logic devices 110 a-n).

In an embodiment, one or more data stores 130 may be accessible by theclient logic devices 115 a-n and/or server logic devices 110 a-n. Thedata stores 130 may include information use for obtaining digital assetinformation (e.g., titles, creators, artists, publishers, distributors,versions, quality, compatible mediums, file types, compressioninformation, duration, actors, musicians, writers, directors, legalinformation, or the like), digital asset values, digital assetcompliance (e.g., copyright information, restrictions on copying,distribution, or the like, information and/or processes for deleting orotherwise restricting exchanged digital assets to comply therewith), orany other information used or required by the exchange system 100 tooperate according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the datastores 130 may include value information sources that the exchangesystem 100 may use to determine the value of digital assets.Non-limiting examples of value information sources may includeuser-defined values (e.g., values submitted by users to the exchangesystem 100), retail information sources (e.g., Amazon, retailerwebsites, etc.), social network services (e.g., Facebook®, Twitter®,etc.), crowd-sourcing services and applications, news websites, auctionservices (e.g., eBay), classified advertisements (e.g., Craigslist), anyother source that may provide information regarding value, demand,popularity, rarity, or the like of a digital asset, and/or wordsearches, website searches, database queries of any of the foregoing.

Although the one or more data stores 130 are depicted as being separatefrom the logic devices 105 a-n, 110 a-n, embodiments are not so limited,as all or some of the one or more data stores may be stored in one ormore of the logic devices.

In some embodiments, a user may access the exchange applicationoperating on the server logic devices 110 a-n through a client logicdevice 105 a-n via network 105, such as through a mobile app operatingon a smartphone. In some embodiments, a user may create a user profile,user account, or otherwise register with the exchange application. Theserver logic devices 110 a-n may store information associated with theuser, such as username and password information to access the exchangeapplication and/or enhanced features thereof, payment information forfee-based functions and services, demographic information, userpreferences, historical information (e.g., past exchanges, etc.), or thelike.

Although individual client logic devices 105 a-n are depicted in FIG. 1,embodiments are not so limited. For example, the exchange system 100 mayalso be used by entities for the exchange of content, such as contentproducers, movie production companies, music clearinghouses, musicrecording companies, radio stations, television stations, broadcastnetworks, websites, cable and satellite television providers, or thelike. In this manner, the exchange system 100 may operate as an exchangemarketplace for content providers to obtain content for providing tocustomers.

The exchange application may create a catalog 120 with digital assetinformation (or “digital asset entries” or “digital asset records”) 125a-n for each digital asset. In some embodiments, the exchangeapplication may be configured to scan or otherwise examine the digitalassets stored on and/or available through a client logic device 105 a-nto record the digital assets in the catalog. In some embodiments a usermay specify which assets to include in the digital asset catalog 120 andwhich not to include. In some embodiments, the exchange application mayallow a user to modify or annotate a digital asset record 125 a-n for adigital asset. For instance, a user may specify certain types of digitalassets that the user may consider in an exchange, preferences, digitalasset values, instructions, or the like.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative digital asset exchange system accordingto an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, an exchange system 220 may includea digital asset catalog 225. The digital asset catalog 225 may includedigital asset records (or “records”) for each available digital asset.The records may include information associated with the digital assetsavailable through the exchange system 220, including source device,source user (e.g., username or “handle”), digital asset information(e.g., title, category, medium, file type, or the like), estimateddownload time, source geographic region, values or ranges of values,user historical information (e.g., activity, previous trades, or thelike), user preferences (e.g., trade preferences, such as file type,preferred artists, genres, or the like), device type, encryptioninformation, storage location (e.g., local storage, cloud storage,external hard drive, or the like), or any other information that may beassociated with a digital asset, client logic device, or user.

A client logic device 210 may access the exchange system 220 and browsethe catalog 225, including via keyword searching, genre searching,menus, exchange system recommendations, user recommendations, or thelike. The client logic device 210 may send an exchange request A to theexchange system 220 indicating that the user of the client logic deviceis interested in digital asset 230 a stored on client logic device 205.The exchange request A may include various types of information,including tradable assets, user information, client logic deviceinformation, user preferences, user-defined tradable asset value, or thelike. For instance, the exchange request A may include a selecteddigital asset (i.e., digital asset 230 a) and a tradable digital asset(i.e., 230 b). In general, the tradable digital asset is a digital assetthat the requesting user may trade for the selected digital asset.

In some embodiments, a user may specify or offer one or more tradableassets when initiating the exchange for the selected digital asset. Insome embodiments, a user may select a digital asset and the exchangesystem 220 may search the available digital assets of the requestinguser to determine digital assets that may be used for the exchange basedon various factors, such as the value of the digital assets, thepreferences of the requesting user and/or the owner of the selecteddigital asset, characteristics of the digital assets (i.e., similarartists, genres, playback devices, etc.), or the like. In someembodiments, a user may specify a tradable asset and the exchange system220 may provide one or more selectable assets that may be equivalent tothe tradable asset based on various factors, including value, userpreferences, or the like.

The exchange system 220 may determine a value for the selected digitalasset 230 a and the tradable digital asset 230 b. If the value of thetradable digital asset 230 b is equivalent or substantially equivalentto the selected digital asset 230 a, the exchange system 220 maytransmit a message B to the client logic device 205 associated with theselected digital asset 230 a. The user of client logic device 205 mayrespond C indicating whether they approve or decline the exchange. Ifthe user accepts the exchange, the requesting client logic device 210may upload D the tradable digital asset 230 b to the exchange system 220and the client logic device 205 may download E the tradable digitalasset from the exchange system. In addition, the client logic device 205may upload E the selected digital asset 230a to the exchange system 220and the requesting client logic device 210 may download D the selecteddigital asset from the exchange system. In some embodiments, theexchange system 220 may perform various checks on the digital assets,such as checks to determine whether the digital assets are genuine,contain errors, are copies, or the like. In some embodiments, theexchange system 220 may not allow the digital assets to be downloadeduntil each corresponding digital asset has been uploaded to the exchangesystem and/or has passed the checks.

In some embodiments, at the point when both sides have agreed to anequivalent exchange, the digital assets 230 a, 230 b may be uploaded toa central location, maintained by the marketplace, and made availablefor download. In some embodiments, a client application running on theclient logic devices 205, 210 may then delete, lock, or otherwiserestrict usage of the digital assets 230 a, 230 b that have beenuploaded (i.e., that have been transferred as part of the exchange) inorder to comply with any applicable digital rights management issues.For example, if the particular asset to be exchanged included metadatarestricting the illegal copying or transfer of the asset, the clientapplication may read such information and take appropriate action uponthe completion of the transaction.

As shown in FIG. 2, a client logic device 215 may transmit an exchangerequest F to exchange selected digital asset 230 e for tradable digitalasset 230 c. The exchange system 220 may compare the value of theselected digital assets 230 e for tradable digital asset 230 c anddetermine that the digital assets do not have equivalent values as thevalue of the tradable digital value is too low. The exchange system 220may transmit a message G to the requesting client logic device 215indicating that the selected digital assets 230 e and the tradabledigital asset 230 c do not have equivalent values and suggesting thatthe combined value of digital asset 230d with the tradable asset may besufficient to make the exchange. In some embodiments, a user may make upfor the value difference between digital assets using money, points, orany other item that may be used as part of an exchange.

The requesting client logic device 215 may transmit a message Hindicating approval of the suggested exchange of tradable digital assets230 c and 230 d for selected digital asset 230 e. The exchange system220 may transmit a message I to the client logic device 205 associatedwith the selected digital asset 230 e. The user of client logic device205 may respond J indicating whether they approve or decline theexchange. If the user accepts the exchange, the requesting client logicdevice 210 may upload L the tradable digital assets 230 c and 230 d tothe exchange system 220 and the client logic device 205 may download Kthe tradable digital asset from the exchange system. In addition, theclient logic device 205 may upload K the selected digital asset 230 e tothe exchange system 220 and the requesting client logic device 215 maydownload L the selected digital asset from the exchange system.

If a user declined an exchange, the exchange system 220 may facilitatecommunication between user client logic devices to facilitatenegotiation. In some embodiments, the exchange system 220 may providesuggested trades as part of the negotiation process. If the usersnegotiate an exchange of digital assets, the negotiated exchange may betransmitted to the exchange system 220 to facilitate the exchange. Insome embodiments, users may be able to view portions of another user'sassets to suggest an exchange. For example, a user may decline arequesting users initial offer to exchange asset A for asset B. Thisuser may view the assets of the requesting user and suggest exchangingasset A for asset C of the requesting user.

FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram of an illustrative method for exchangingdigital assets that may be performed by the exchange system, such asthrough a server logic device (i.e., server logic device 110 of FIG. 1),arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.Example methods may include one or more operations, functions or actionsas illustrated by one or more of blocks 305, 310, 315, 320, 325, 330,335, 340, and/or 345. The operations described in blocks 305-345 mayalso be stored as computer-executable instructions in acomputer-readable medium such the memory elements 410, 415, and 425depicted in FIG. 4. Although illustrated as discrete blocks, variousblocks may be divided into additional blocks, combined into fewerblocks, or eliminated, depending on the desired implementation.

As shown in FIG. 3, an exchange system may access 305 a digital catalog.In some embodiments, the exchange system may create the digital catalogby accessing and cataloging digital assets, for example, stored on aplurality of computing devices, such as client logic devices and/orserver logic devices, or external storage devices or networks. In someembodiments, the exchange system may access one or more third-partydigital catalogs.

The exchange system may receive 310 an exchange request for a selecteddigital asset. For instance, the exchange request may request to trade afirst movie digital asset in exchange for a second movie digital asset.The exchange system may determine 315 the value of the selected digitalasset and a tradable digital asset offered in exchange therefor. If thevalues of the selected digital asset and the tradable digital asset areequivalent 320 or substantially equivalent, the exchange system mayexchange 325 the selected digital asset for the tradable digital asset.

If the values of the selected digital asset and the tradable digitalasset are not equivalent 320 or substantially equivalent, the exchangesystem may determine 330 whether the requesting user has any othertradable assets. If the user does have other tradable assets, theexchange system may evaluate 335 the other tradable assets. If the userdoes not have other tradable assets, the exchange system may facilitateand exchange 340 between the users or end the exchange 345.

FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram of exemplary internal hardware that maybe used to contain or implement the various computer processes andsystems as discussed above. A bus 400 serves as the main informationhighway interconnecting the other illustrated components of thehardware. CPU 405 is the central processing unit of the system,performing calculations and logic operations required to execute aprogram. CPU 405 is an exemplary processing device, computing device orprocessor as such terms are used within this disclosure. Read onlymemory (ROM) 430 and random access memory (RAM) 435 constitute exemplarymemory devices.

A controller 420 interfaces with one or more optional memory devices 425via the system bus 400. These memory devices 425 may include, forexample, an external or internal DVD drive, a CD ROM drive, a harddrive, flash memory, a USB drive or the like. As indicated previously,these various drives and controllers are optional devices. Additionally,the memory devices 425 may be configured to include individual files forstoring any software modules or instructions, auxiliary data, commonfiles for storing groups of results or auxiliary, or one or moredatabases for storing the result information, auxiliary data, andrelated information as discussed above.

Program instructions, software or interactive modules for performing anyof the functional steps associated with the determination,configuration, transmission, decoding, or the like of the presentationsettings as described above may be stored in the ROM 430 and/or the RAM435. Optionally, the program instructions may be stored on a tangiblecomputer-readable medium such as a compact disk, a digital disk, flashmemory, a memory card, a USB drive, an optical disc storage medium, suchas a Blu-ray™ disc, and/or other recording medium.

An optional display interface 430 can permit information from the bus400 to be displayed on the display 435 in audio, visual, graphic oralphanumeric format. The information may include information related toa current job ticket and associated tasks. Communication with externaldevices may occur using various communication ports 470. An exemplarycommunication port 470 may be attached to a communications network, suchas the Internet or a local area network.

The hardware may also include an interface 445 which allows for receiptof data from input devices such as a keyboard 450 or other input device455 such as a mouse, a joystick, a touch screen, a remote control, apointing device, a video input device and/or an audio input device.

It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and otherfeatures and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirablycombined into many other different systems or applications. It will alsobe appreciated that various presently unforeseen or unanticipatedalternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may besubsequently made by those skilled in the art which alternatives,variations and improvements are also intended to be encompassed by thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system configured to exchange digital assets,the system comprising: a processor; and a non-transitory,computer-readable storage medium in operable communication with theprocessor, wherein the computer-readable storage medium contains one ormore programming instructions that, when executed, cause the processorto: access a digital asset catalog comprising asset informationassociated with a plurality of digital assets stored on a plurality ofclient logic devices, receive an exchange request from a requestingclient logic device to exchange at least one selected digital asset inthe digital asset catalog, determine a selection value for the at leastone selected digital asset, determine whether the requesting clientlogic device comprises at least one tradable digital asset having atradable value substantially equivalent to the selected asset value, andexchange the at least one selected digital asset and the at least onetradable digital asset responsive to the tradable value beingsubstantially equivalent to the selected asset value.